Sign language for 7-month old?

Question

Are there any good websites or classes for a 7-month old to learn sign language, even though she isn't deaf? Will it help her language skills to learn to sign?

Answer 1

She is NOT too young to begin learning sign language. There are many books out there to teach this. You really don't need to buy anything. Just print out a couple of the signs you want to start out with (from the internet), Here are a couple of sites to get you started. They are both free for anyone to access.

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/

http://www.lifeprint.com/ (this one is my favorite)


My son has Down Syndrome and he learned to sign a couple of basic words by the time he was one, so your daughter is definitely not too young!


Carrie
http://www.about-down-syndrome.com

Answer 2

We started teaching my firstborn sign language at 6 or 7 months. By the time she was 9 months, she had about 5 signs that she used often. Since 9 month olds can't pronouce the words we were teaching her, they gesture. It is fascinating. The sooner you start, the more she will retain. My child has never had any delays with speech or communication - and she has always been able to communicate her needs (especially her emotions - sad, frightened, happy) since before she could even talk.

There are websites that show how to do American Sign Language - and the signs are the same for babies (they are what ever you want them to be - you can take the ASL signs and alter them to be easier for baby hands). There is also a book called Baby Signs that I used a few times, it has a pretty limited index. My favorite ASL book is The Joy of Signing.

Good luck, it's fun!

*P.S. My 8 month old has two signs she uses often - "milk", and "more"

Answer 3

Your baby is the perfect age!!

I taught my son with the "Sign with your Baby" program. The best thing about it is that YOU learn it, then teach it to your kid in everyday situations. No sitting him in front of a TV hoping he'll pay attention.

We started signing with my son when he was 7.5 months old, and he was signing by 10 months, and I firmly believe EVERYONE should teach their baby. It cut down on SO much frustration by him and us as parents! Knowing what he wants and him understanding what you're saying helps so much! It increased his vocabulary, gave us insight to his thoughts, and when he did start talking, his list of words and ability to put many words and sentences together was more advanced than others his age. Also, the communication connections in his brain were stronger since they had been working for many months before actual verbal communication started.

Around the age of two when his speech exploded, both he and us dropped the signs. Now we only use them in quiet situations (movies, church, etc), and that's only a few like potty, all done, eat, or Mom/Dad.

Don't worry about it delaying her speech. If someone knows a child who prefers sign over speaking, it's probably because the child is a delayed speaker. I know a 2.5 year old who only occasionally says words, and rarely puts two together. He does not sign. He has a horrific temper, as you can imagine, because he gets so frustrated not being able to communicate. He probably would've been a happier child had he known how to sign and communicate.

Answer 4

I bought a video for my son called 'signing time'. It's an older video--maybe six or eight years old--but it's definitely geared toward the age you're talking about. By the time mine was a year old, he knew the signs for milk, water, eat, and a few others. His hearing is normal, and it did not impair his verbal skills at all--in fact, his verbal skills IMPROVED. There is also a baby einstein video--Baby Wordsworth, I believe-- that he enjoys, but it is a bit more advanced, and he really didn't start learning from it until around eighteen months.

Congratz on trying to find ways to enrich your little one. Good luck!

Answer 5

sign language works great with my daughter. Her day care teaches it to all the kids. I didn't know much about but caught on to some basic signs that my daughter likes to do. It really cuts down on frustration for her. You have to be very patient, it takes a while before they'll start mimicking you, but then when they do it it's the coolest thing! The following link has video clips of some commong baby signs. I also found a Baby Einstein video that taught basics. I foundthat "eat" "more" "please" "drink" "sleep" were most useful. Of course "NO" was the first thing she learned!

Answer 6

There is a video called "Baby Wordsworth"-it's in the Little Einstein series. Also, I have found quite a few on the internet. My grandson learned to sign when he was about 10-12 mos. He had speech delays due to being born with "Prune Belly Syndrome". He learned to communicate the words "more", "all done", "milk", "please", "thank-you" and a few others that came in very handy. I would watch teaching a normal child too soon, though. My niece started teaching my grand-nephew early, and now he's not wanting to use his words to communicate.

Answer 7

I have heard about this new system for teaching babies a form of sign language to aid in communication until they can speak. Kind of like what was used in Meet the Fockers. I do not know what it is called, but definately worth looking into and your child is at the right age. good luck and let me know how well it works

Answer 8

I am a speech-language pathologist and I am not aware of any reputable research that supports that learning "sign" will help with developing language skills. It won't hurt your child's language skills but it won't improve them either. Having another "output" for language can cut down on your child's frustration. For example, if it is easier to sign "help" than to say it, your child will be less frustrated. Keep in mind too that lots of signs require motor skills that your child may not be able to imitate at her developmental level. That can be frustrating for her too! Good luck with whatever you choose!

Answer 9

get the baby einstein "baby wordsworth" dvd. it teaches spoken and sign language names for typical things around the house. the tv show blues clues also indirectly teaches sign language, the host of the show will sometimes sign simple words while he is speaking.

Answer 10

I don't know any websites sorry. I do however think it would be a great asset for her to learn sign. Check with your local schools maybe they can steer you in the right direction.